I had my first guests of the season from 'merica this week: a friend who goes back to convent school days in California (she showed up with a Sister Mary Merlot tea towel - perfect) and her niece who is twenty-two and studying opera. On the last night they were here, my friend from the waiting room at the Italian consulate in New York, who needed a visa to come on her Indian passport, had also come for the night and V gave an impromptu concert: a Mimi aria from La Boheme. When she finished her amazing performance (we were all in our jammies), there was applause from the street and we looked out to see about eight of my neighbors and friends here in the village who were applauding her. Great fun.

Last week I got a washing machine and a TV monitor for a new CD/DVD changer with radio and recording options. G came over and set it up and we all watched Chicago and sang and danced around the living room.

Am going to avoid restaurants for at least a week since I've been to Torrenieri for pizza, Rosa del Trinoro for a very fancy dinner, I Poggioli and Il Cassero during the last five days. The new bar, Ritrovino, is turning into a success and we hung out there quite a bit with the friends I've made in the village. We were also invited for homemade cake and prosecco one evening at a neighbor's home.

It seems to be true that when you live somewhere, as opposed to being on vacation, the only time you really devote to tourism is when friends come to visit. We went to Montalcino, Sant' Antimo, Monticchiello and Chiusure to see the sights and visit friends.

The house is very quiet now and as lovely as it was to see friends from home, I'm enjoying the downtime. It was in the mid-80's here today but the house is cool.

posted by Joanna @ 5/28/2005 09:58:00 PM